The family of Ashley Fallis believes her husband holds the answers to how she died after a New Year's party. Until this week, authorities considered her shooting death Jan. 1, 2012, a suicide. But the parents and brother of the Evans woman have never doubted that she was murdered, and they told reporters Thursday that they believe Tom Fallis was responsible.

Evans police decided this week to reopen the investigation and hand it over to Fort Collins police, who will examine claims of a coverup and blatant incompetence.

During a news conference in downtown Denver on Thursday, the Fallis family — all wearing green ribbons in her memory — went point-by-point as to why they believe Ashley's husband pulled the trigger.

Ashley Fallis.

They sat alongside their attorney, Daniel Recht, who said he is handling the case pro bono.

"We applaud (the homicide case) transfer," Recht said of the investigation being taken over by Fort Collins police. "We are thrilled that an unbiased police department is taking a fresh look at this homicide."

Calls to Tom Fallis for comment were not returned Thursday.

Ashley's death was originally ruled a suicide by police and the Weld County coroner.

Tom Fallis, who formerly worked for Weld County in a law enforcement capacity, now lives in Indiana with the couple's three children.

Ashley died of a single gunshot wound to the head in the couple's bedroom. The exact location of the wound is unclear.

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Her family and their lawyer are adamant that Tom, the only one home besides the small children at the time of her death, was the one who pulled the trigger, they said Thursday.

Also, they allege witness statements were altered by the lead investigating detective, Michael Yates of the Evans Police Department, in order to make the death appear to be a suicide.

However, they offered no exact reason as to why Yates would have made the changes to his report other than that he and Tom Fallis were both in law enforcement.

Allegedly altered or excluded statements include one given by the couple's then-6-year-old, who told police the night of the death that she "saw Daddy shoot Mommy." Also, neighbor statements were allegedly being altered to make the case appear to be suicide.

Yates is still a member of the Evans police force and has not been placed on administrative leave, Recht said.

The family and Recht said they will not rest until a first-degree murder charge is filed by the Weld County district attorney against Tom Fallis.

The family repeatedly thanked Fox 31 News for the efforts of reporter Justin Joseph, whose investigation they credited for prompting the case to be reopened.

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